This $5 River Shuttle Takes You From Montreal To 5 Gorgeous Islands With A Secret Bayou

The river shuttle is the only way to access the islands via public transit.
Senior Writer

The City of Montreal announced that the river shuttle between Promenade du Parc Bellerive and Charron Island will be back as of July 1 after being closed last summer due to COVID-19. 

Before you get going, check our Responsible Travel Guide so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your trip.

Why is this such good news? It's the only method of public transit you can use to access parc national des Îles-de-Boucherville, a gorgeous group of five little islands in the middle of the Saint-Lawrence River with a secret bayou. 

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That's right, you don't need to travel to Louisiana for a bayou-like experience.

SEPAQ describes the Chenal du Courant as "the bayou just a stone’s throw from Montréal!" and says you can rent a kayak or canoe on (or bring your own) to explore the 8-kilometre channel alongside an "amazing marsh" with birds, mammals and fish. 

The Montréal Mercier river shuttle leaves from Promenade Bellerive Quay. The 20-minute ride costs $5 per adult for a one-way trip.

The service will operate on weekends and holidays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from July 1 to September 6.

Daily access to the park is $9 per adult plus there are additional fees if you rent equipment. 

River Shuttle To Parc national des Îles-de-Boucherville

Price: $5 per adult for a one-way trip; Daily access to the park is $9 per adult plus additional fees for equipment rentals

When: July 1 to September 6 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Address: The shuttle departs from 8300, rue Bellerive, Montreal, QC

  • Ilana Belfer
  • Editor

    Ilana Belfer (she/her) was an editor for MTL Blog. She's obsessed with great storytelling in all its forms having worked in print, radio, television, theatre, and digital media over the past decade. A graduate of Carleton University’s journalism program, her words have appeared in The Globe and Mail, the Toronto Star, The Kit, VICE, Salon, Foodism TO & more — covering everything from cam girls to COVID-19. Ilana can usually be found with her dog André, tracking down Montreal’s prettiest ruelles vertes and tastiest treats.

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